Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra Co., Ltd.
A Hitachi Construction Machinery Group company that develops and manufactures mini excavators and other compact construction machinery in Japan for domestic and international markets.
Last updated September 25, 2026
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Overview
Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company in the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group. Based in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, it develops and manufactures compact construction machinery, with mini excavators at the center of its business. The company describes its work as an integrated operation spanning development, production and sales, and says its machines operate in Japan, Europe, North America and other markets around the world. The company’s history traces its industrial roots to agricultural implements made by Denzo Tanoue in 1863 in Kumamoto. The business later expanded from agricultural machinery into construction equipment: it developed the Hinomoto Comback small backhoe in 1971. Hitachi Construction Machinery took over management in 1990, and the company adopted the name Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra in 1997. The official history records that it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery in 2011. Its products and development work focus on compact construction machinery, especially mini excavators. The company also has a history of producing mini loaders and compact wheel loaders, and develops applications and specialized configurations. Its stated priorities include adapting products to varied customer and regional requirements, operational comfort and usability, quality, shorter production lead times, and environmental considerations such as fuel efficiency and electrification. It has developed a prototype battery-powered five-ton-class mini excavator and subsequently launched the ZX55U-6EB battery-powered mini excavator. The company serves the global compact-equipment market through the wider Hitachi Construction Machinery Group’s marketing and service network. It says it responds to differing emissions rules and regional needs in developed markets while seeking to develop markets in emerging economies. Its positioning emphasizes compact machines for work in confined spaces, product quality and practical value, and the use of technology to help make work safer, more comfortable and more efficient. The company also highlights sustainability, environmental activity, governance and stakeholder communication as part of its corporate approach.
History
The company’s official history identifies 1863 as the beginning of its business lineage: Denzo Tanoue made a long-bed plough in Kumamoto, laying the foundation for Toyosha. The company adopted the name Toyosha in 1928 and named its plough Hinomoto. Its early milestones were in agricultural machinery, including a two-stage plough invention in 1947 and a small tractor in 1959. In 1962, its ride-on small four-wheel tractor passed what the company describes as Japan’s first national inspection of its kind. The business entered construction machinery in 1971, developing the Hinomoto Comback small backhoe. Its Shiga factory was completed in 1974. In 1989, the factory began contract production of Hitachi construction machinery, including the EX60WD. Hitachi Construction Machinery took over management in 1990, when production of the EX60 series began. The company changed its name to Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra in 1997 and began producing rear-swing-radius-reduced machines. It recorded cumulative construction-machinery production of 50,000 units in 1999. In 2000, Hitachi Construction Machinery’s mini-excavator development and design functions were integrated into the Shiga business division. The following years brought product launches and manufacturing milestones: the ML20 mini loader in 2003, the ML30 in 2004, and the ML40 in 2007. Production of the ZX-U2 mini-excavator series began in 2004, and an export-market ZX60USB-3 was introduced in 2008. The company reached 100,000 cumulative construction machines in 2006 and 150,000 in 2011. In 2011, it also became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery. The company relocated its Osaka production center in 2013 and moved its registered head office from Kadoma, Osaka, to Koka, Shiga, in connection with that relocation. It reached 200,000 cumulative machines in 2014, 250,000 in 2017 and 300,000 in 2019. In 2019 it developed a prototype battery-powered five-ton-class mini excavator. In 2020 it began production of compact wheel loaders ranging from the ZW20 to the ZW80. It launched the five-ton-class battery-powered ZX55U-6EB in 2022, and began launching the new-generation seven-ton-class ZAXIS-7 hydraulic excavator in 2023, the year it recorded 400,000 cumulative construction machines. Its Hinokigaoka factory was completed in 2024. Today, the company presents itself as a compact-construction-equipment developer and manufacturer with an integrated development and production capability. Its official materials describe a focus on mini excavators and compact machinery for varied markets, with attention to customer feedback, usability, manufacturing quality, emissions and environmental demands, and efficient production. It operates as part of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group and states that its products are used in Japan and international markets.
- 2024
Hinokigaoka factory completed
[2] - 2023
ZAXIS-7 series introduced; cumulative production reaches 400,000
[2] - 2022
ZX55U-6EB battery-powered mini excavator launched
[2] - 2020
Compact wheel-loader production begins
[2] - 2019
Develops battery-powered mini-excavator prototype
[2] - 2013
Moves registered head office to Koka, Shiga
[2] - 2011
Becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery
[2] - 2007
ML40 mini loader launched
[2] - 2004
ML30 launched and ZX-U2 mini-excavator production begins
[2] - 2003
ML20 mini loader launched
[2]
Products and positioning
A compact-construction-equipment developer and manufacturer focused on mini excavators, product quality, customer-specific needs and global markets. The company emphasizes capable machines for confined work sites and technology that can improve comfort, efficiency and environmental performance.
Mini excavators
The company’s principal product area, developed and manufactured for compact construction applications.
ZX55U-6EB
Five-ton-class battery-powered mini excavator launched in 2022.
ZAXIS-7 series
New-generation seven-ton-class hydraulic excavator launched from 2023.
Compact wheel loaders, ZW20–ZW80
Compact wheel-loader range whose production began in 2020.
ML mini-loader series
Historical mini-loader launches included the ML20, ML30 and ML40.
Brand decisions
- Corrective measure for engine intake-collector defectOther
Sources5 sources
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